Young Newcastle halfback Tyrone Roberts helped make North Queensland star Johnathan Thurston’s 200th game one to forget by stepping into Kurt Gidley’s shoes and playing a starring role in the Knights’ 34-6 win at Hunter Stadium.

Roberts, who has been playing off the bench this season in a utility role, got the call-up to start at No.7 with captain and regular halfback Gidley ruled out late with a calf strain.

The 21-year-old Roberts was in everything for the Knights, teaming up brilliantly with five-eighth Jarrod Mullen.

The pair steered Newcastle around the park and destroyed the Cowboys with some superb kicking in general play on the back of a dominant effort from their forwards.

Roberts scored a try and kicked five goals for a tally of 14 points in the six tries to one victory.

Things didn’t start well for the Knights who trailed after just nine minutes when Cowboys back-rower Gavin Cooper barged over to score the opening try of the game with Thurston kicking the extras to make it 6-0.

Newcastle hit back soon after with three tries in 10 minutes with four-pointers to Roberts, Akuila Uate and Alex McKinnon, who came into the centres in place of the injured Timana Tahu.

The home side ran away with the game in the second half after leading 14-6 at halftime with Uate scoring a double while winger James McManus and fullback Darius Boyd also scored tries.

Inspirational hooker Danny Buderus made his return from off-season back surgery off the bench, coming on midway through the first half to turn in a solid performance.